External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday responded to the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's remarks made during the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha, where he said that Foreign Minister S Jaishankar was sent "three-four times to get an invite for our Prime Minister" for Donald Trump's inauguration as US president.
Denying Gandhi's statement, EAM S Jaishankar stated, "Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi deliberately spoke a falsehood about my visit to the US in December 2024."
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi deliberately spoke a falsehood about my visit to the US in December 2024.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 3, 2025
I went to meet the Secretary of State and NSA of the Biden Administration. Also to chair a gathering of our Consuls General. During my stay, the incoming NSA-designate met…
The Foreign Minister clarified, saying, "I went to meet the Secretary of State and NSA of the Biden Administration, and to chair a gathering of our Consuls General. During my stay, the incoming NSA-designate met with me."
"At no stage was an invitation in respect of the PM discussed. It is common knowledge that our PM does not attend such events. In fact, India is generally represented by Special Envoys," he added.
Hitting out at Gandhi, he said, "Rahul Gandhi's lies may be intended politically, but they damage the nation abroad."
Earlier today, speaking in Lok Sabha, Gandhi had said, "When we talk to the United States, we would not send the foreign minister three-four times to get an invite for our Prime Minister because if we had a production system and we were working on these technologies, the US president would come here and invite the Prime Minister."
Gandhi's remarks were met with objection from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who said the Opposition leader cannot make such unsubstantiated statements linked to the country's foreign policy.
"The Leader of the Opposition cannot make such serious, unsubstantiated statements. This is about the relationship between two countries. He is making unverified statements about the invitation of our Prime Minister," said Rijiju.
Rijiju demanded proof for Gandhi's claims, stating, "He should be responsible. If the Leader of the Opposition has the information, he must tell the House who has told him that the Foreign Minister visited for this purpose."